SACRAMENTO – Two more Californians have died of complications associated with West Nile virus, bringing to four the number killed by the virus in the state this year, health officials said yesterday.

The Department of Public Health reported that the latest victims were an elderly man in San Joaquin County and an elderly woman in Colusa County. The first fatalities of 2007 were an elderly man and woman in Kern County.

Fifty-two more Californians have become ill after being exposed to the mosquito-transmitted virus.

Associated Press

Balloonist makes emergency landing

GLEN ELLEN – A hot-air balloon pilot who veered off course and ran low on fuel was forced to make an emergency landing on the slopes of a steep canyon yesterday morning in the mountains dividing Sonoma and Napa counties.

The six people on board walked away from the landing with no injuries after experiencing what one local firefighter called a “wild ride” that ended in a small clearing in a spot known as Devil's Gulch. “If the pilot didn't put it down in that area, he would have gone down in the canyon where there are a lot of tall trees,” Glen Ellen firefighter Marty Amon said.

Associated Press

Gang raids net 43 arrests around L.A.

LONG BEACH – Federal agents and police fanned out across southern Los Angeles County early yesterday, arresting 43 reputed gang members and associates in a huge sweep aimed at taking down violent offenders.

More than 400 officers took part in the campaign, which started at about 4 a.m., a federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives spokesman said. The effort was part of a wider crackdown, spearheaded by the Justice Department in cities nationwide and aimed at gang members suspected of dealing drugs and committing violent crimes.

A large number of guns and drugs was seized, and authorities planned to seize and close buildings where the men are accused of selling drugs, authorities said.